His teaching career began when working as a graduate assistant while earning his master’s degree.  

“I had some really great mentors in my life that told me I should get into teaching,” he said. “Once I started teaching as a graduate assistant, I really discovered my love and passion for teaching, and it was something I wanted to pursue as a full-time career.”  

Emily Hoppe, a 2024 graduate from NTC’s dairy science program, nominated Trevor last fall for the University of Wisconsin – Platteville's Influential Educator Award because of the influence he had on her during her time at NTC.  

“He was the one who pushed me to further my education and go to UW-Platteville after graduation,” she said.  

Trevor has a passion for agronomy and horticulture, and one of the reasons he loves teaching is that he loves instilling that knowledge in his students.  

“I really enjoy working with our young adults who are passionate about agriculture,” he said. “I like interacting with the students and enjoy getting to know them as they figure out what their true passions are.”  

Trevor is also the co-advisor for NTC’s Professional Agricultural Students (PAS) club, a role he has come to really enjoy. Working with the students in the club is different than teaching, and he has a chance to work more closely with students and get to know them better.  

Through PAS, Emily worked closely with Trevor as he helped her prepare for competitions. She participated in the agriculture education category at both state and national levels. She had to mimic being an agriculture educator in a grade school classroom, giving a presentation and doing a hands-on activity.  

After she did well two years in a row, Trevor pulled her aside and asked what she was going to do with what she’d learned: that she had a knack for teaching. Emily said she thought she’d like to be an agriculture educator. But that meant she’d have to go to a four-year university away from home, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for such a big transition.  

“I told her to tour the campus at UW-Platteville,” Trevor said. “I said she should check it out and see if it’s somewhere she could see herself.”  

She followed his suggestion, and she really liked the school. She decided to enroll and recently finished her first year of the program.  

“When I found out she got accepted, I was really happy for her,” Trevor said. “I was excited she decided to pursue her dream.”  

Emily has been able to meet many new people with the same interests as her at school.  

“I have joined the Association of Women in Agriculture, and this has opened up opportunities to make new friends and hear from other women in agriculture,” she said. “There are loads of other clubs and sororities for anyone on campus interested in agriculture to join.”  

Emily chose to nominate Trevor for the Influential Educator Award because of the positive impact he had on her and the support and guidance he provided.  

“I was surprised when she nominated me, and I felt really honored to receive the award,” he said. “It was really meaningful to me to know that I was able to be a piece of a student’s journey.”